MORTONS GAP, Ky. (4/15/13) - Sixteen year old “Dustin Hunter” Scarbrough from Mortons Gap is fulfilling his dream to becoming the next big country music star.

Son of Loman and Carol (Hankins) Scarbrough, and grandson of Davis and Connie Scarbrough and Jim and Phyllis Hankins, watched Dustin as a small child sing and perform. He started out at an early age and entered a talent show at Earlington Elementary School. He has performed locally in churches as well as playing with the “Barber Boys” at the Crowded House. He has also performed annually at the Coalfield Festival in Mortons Gap.

Dustin has made himself well known by traveling across the South East by performing in small towns and big cities. A couple years ago, Dustin was able to participate in the music television show “The Voice” auditions in Atlanta, Georgia. There the judge told him that he was a little too young but kept asking him when he would be sixteen. Dustin also had the opportunity to audition for the television show “American Idol” where he just barely missed the cut.

In 2012, Dustin met with a couple music producers based out of Nashville, Tennessee, which is well known for its iconic name “Music City.” After several trips and phone calls, Dustin was finally led to a gentleman named Pat who was eager to help him out. However, Pat wanted to make sure Dustin was fully ready before they started to record his first single. Pat has worked with Sony for 20 years and knows what is looked for in an artist. “As a father and as Dustin’s manager, what I liked most about Pat was he was eager to help Dustin and he didn’t have his hands out for my wallet. There are costs involved such as, paying for band members when you don’t have a band. You are paying for some of the same members that top artists use, so it is costly. For instance, when Dustin records, he will have the same pickers as what Tim McGraw has when he records in the studio,” expressed Loman Scarbrough, Dustin’s father and manager.

Also in 2012, Dustin had an opportunity to perform at one of Nashville’s most famous and popular hangouts for county music artists, known as Tootsies Lounge. Even though Dustin didn’t catch the audience’s attention right at first, it was his second song that totally rocked the house and afterwards being approached by folks who wanted to promote him.

By October of 2012, Dustin finally caught a break when he performed at the Kentucky Country Music Association and won the 2012 KCMA Male Vocalist of the Year and the 2012 KCMA Male Entertainer of the Year for ages 13-16. “Winning these accomplishments has been awesome and built his confidence even higher,” continued Scarbrough. Winning these awards had also qualified Dustin to competing in March for the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee North American Country Music Association International Awards Show. While there, Dustin won the 2013 Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year and the 2013 Horizon Award Male Entertainer of the Year.

During his performance at this event, a photographer was hired to take Dustin’s Red Carpet photos, but little did they know that there was something bigger was ahead of them. “While I was waiting for Dustin after the Red Carpet photos, the photographer approached me and asked if Dustin would be interested in performing in Nashville live at a few locations and also perform at the Nashville Spotlight television show. We exchanged business cards and said he would keep in touch after he talked to his business partner,” stated Scarbrough. A couple weeks past after the show, and Dustin and his family received a phone call asking if they would be able to send some of Dustin’s work to them. A few days after they sent some of his work, they received another phone call and setup the first date for Dustin to perform.

On May 4th, 2013, Dustin will be performing at the Nashville Palace. His first performance will be at 2:00pm and his second will be at 4:00pm. Dustin will be spending more time in Nashville in the weeks to come.

Scarbrough would like to express to the community, “Dustin has a big heart and a wonderful voice and would like to thank all his fans and supporters. He would also like to thank the “Barber Boys” for being there and supporting him. We would also like to thank Pat and John down in Nashville. Thanks to Kenny, Kay and Kayla and everyone else from the KCMA and NACMAI. A huge thank you to our friend and neighbor Mr. Butch Pulley for allowing Dustin to use his recording studio and helping us out even on short notice. God bless everyone and remember Dustin has some new songs he has written and we hope to get them recorded and out as soon as possible. Keep It “Dustin Hunter” Country Wild.”

For more information on Dustin Hunter and his upcoming performances you can visit his Facebook. To book Dustin for an event, you can contact his manager, Loman Scarbrough at (270)621-0842.